Recommended Gear for Trekking in Iceland with Berg Adventures

Top quality mountaineering clothing and equipment is an investment that will see you through years of adventures. It is wise to choose carefully, and not to skimp on quality. The companies and products you see listed below can serve as starting points of reference for you. Take this list to your local outdoor specialty shop.

Feel free to use this list as a reference as you prepare for your trip, but note that not all brands and models are current.

Footwear:

Running shoes or lightweight trail shoes: For travel and easy walking

Hiking boots: Leather with sturdy mid-sole and a Vibram sole, ½ or ¾ shank. Boots should be warm and fit well over light and heavy sock combination. Fit is much more important than brand. Take time to select a pair that fits, and break them in well.

Sport sandals: Excellent at for in and around the huts in the evenings. An open-toe model that can be worn with socks is best (Teva or Crocs)

Mid-weight long underwear top: Zip-T neck design is good. Light colors are better for tops because they are cooler when hiking in direct sunlight and just as warm as dark colors when worn underneath other layers (Patagonia Capilene, North Face, Mountain Hardwear).

Fleece or synthetic jacket: Polartec 100 or 200 is good. An even better alternative is a synthetic fill jacket made of Primaloft or Polarguard (Mountain Hardwear, OR, Wild Things, Moonstone, Patagonia)

Waterproof/Breathable jacket and pants: Such as Gore-Tex. Jacket must have hood. It is recommended that pants have full-length side zips. These garments should be large to fit over your other layers.

Gaiters: For use with light hiking boots. Short and simple gaiters are preferable, such as OR Rocky Mountain Low.

Head & Hand Gear

Liner gloves: They should be lightweight and synthetic (Patagonia Capilene)

Windstopper fleece gloves: Any brand of Windstopper fleece

Sun hat: Any lightweight hat with a good brim or visor to keep the sun and rain off of your face and neck.

Bandana: Two to three traditional cotton styles. This is an important item with many uses. Large sizes are best. You may also like to have a circular bandana like those made by Buff.

Wool or fleece hat: Any brand of warm hat that can go over ears for cool evenings.

Accessories

Sunglasses: One pair high quality 100%UV and 100%IR. You may want to bring a back-up pair too.

Headlamp: (Petzl or Black Diamond)

Hiking and Camping Gear

Duffel bag: For flying to Iceland with your belongings. It will come with you during the trek.

Small bag or stuff sac: This bag will store all of your non-hiking clothes and other belongings in Reykjavík while you are hiking.

Day pack: 2000 cubic inches ( 33 liters ) or more, internal frame. Top opening mountaineer’s rucksack style is best. Avoid large zipper openings and excessive outside pockets. Larger packs are better than smaller, because they are easier to pack with cold hands and they distribute loads more effectively.

Trekking poles: Useful for going up and down steep, muddy trails in the forest, and general trekking. Adjustable poles are best so that you can strap them on your pack when not in use. Remove the ski baskets (Leki 3-section, Black Diamond)

Swiss Army knife: Remember not to leave in carry-on bags for any international or domestic flight. Scissors are probably the most useful features; you will seldom need the knife blade.